Electromechanical variable transmission

ABSTRACT

A vehicle drive includes a first gear set and a second gear set both having a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gears which couple the sun gear to the ring gear. The planetary gears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers which are coupled to each other. The vehicle drive also includes an engine, a first clutch which selectively engages the engine to the ring gear of the first gear set, a first motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set and a second motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the second gear set and electrically coupled to the first motor/generator, a second clutch which selectively engages the engine to the second motor/generator, and a third clutch and a third gear set which operate to selectively engage the ring gear of the second gear set to the planetary gear carriers.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

The government of the United States has certain rights in this inventionpursuant to Contract No. N0014-09-C-0601 awarded by the Office of NavalResearch.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates generally to the field of transmissionsfor vehicles. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to thefield of electromechanical infinitely variable transmissions forvehicles.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle drive including a firstgear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gears whichcouple the sun gear to the ring gear. The vehicle drive also includes asecond gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and planetary gearswhich couple the sun gear to the ring gear. The planetary gears of bothsets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gear carriers whichare coupled to each other. The vehicle drive further includes an engineand a first clutch which selectively engages the engine to the ring gearof the first gear set. The vehicle drive still further includes a firstmotor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the first gear set and asecond motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the second gear setand electrically coupled to the first motor/generator. The vehicle drivestill further includes a second clutch which selectively engages theengine to the second motor/generator and a third clutch and a third gearset which operate to selectively engage the ring gear of the second gearset to the planetary gear carriers.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle transmission includinga first planetary gear set having planetary gears and a second planetarygear set having planetary gears directly coupled to the planetary gearsof the first planetary gear set. The vehicle transmission also includesan engine rotationally coupled to the first planetary gear set. Thevehicle transmission further includes a first electromagnetic devicerotationally coupled to the first planetary gear set and a secondelectromagnetic device rotationally coupled to the second planetary gearset and selectively rotationally engaged with the engine.

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a vehicle having a drive trainincluding a dual-mode transmission having a first gear set and a secondgear set. The vehicle also includes an engine coupled to the first gearset. The vehicle further includes a first electromagnetic device coupledto the first gear set and a second electromagnetic device coupled to thesecond gear set. The vehicle still further includes at least one driveaxle coupled to the transmission. During a first mode of operation ofthe vehicle the second electromagnetic device is selectively coupled tothe drive axle via the second gear set and during a second mode ofoperation of the vehicle the second electromagnetic device isselectively coupled to the engine

Another exemplary embodiment relates to a transmission for a vehicleincluding a first gear set having a first gear configured to be coupledto an engine, a second gear configured to be coupled to a firstelectromechanical device, and a third gear configured to be rotationallyengaged to a drive axle of the vehicle. The transmission also includes asecond gear set having a first gear configured to be coupled to a secondelectromechanical device, a second gear configured to be coupled to thethird gear of the first gear set, and a third gear configured to beselectively rotationally engaged with the drive axle of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of drive train for a vehicle according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a detailed schematic view of the drive train shown in FIG. 1according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control system for the drive trainshown in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic view of a drive train for a vehicle V1is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The vehicle V1 may be awork or commercial vehicle, a military vehicle, or any other type ofvehicle.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the drive train includes an engineE1 coupled to a transmission T1. The vehicle V1 also includes a firstelectromagnetic device EM1 coupled to the transmission T1 and a secondelectromagnetic device EM2 coupled to the transmission T1. The vehicleV1 also includes at least one drive axle (such as, e.g., rear axle RA1and/or front axle FA1) coupled to the transmission T1.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the engine E1 is configured toprovide rotational mechanical energy to the transmission T1. The engineE1 may be any source of rotational mechanical energy which is derivedfrom a stored energy source such as a liquid or gaseous fuel. Examplesare an internal combustion engine (such as a gas, natural gas, or dieselpowered engine), turbine, fuel cell, electric motor or any other type ofmotor capable of providing rotational mechanical energy to thetransmission T1. According to one exemplary embodiment, the engine E1 isa twelve liter diesel engine capable of providing approximately 400 to600 horsepower, 400-1500 ft-lbs of torque, and has a rotational speed ofapproximately 0 to 2100 rpm. According to one exemplary embodiment, theengine E1 is operated at a relatively constant speed (such as, e.g.,1600 rpm) to maximize fuel efficiency.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the electromagnetic devices EM1,EM2 are electric motor/generator devices that are capable of providingrotational electrical energy (as an electric motor) and/or capable ofproducing electrical power (as a generator). According to one exemplaryembodiment, the electromagnetic devices EM1, EM2 provide electric powerto one another, depending on the specific mode of operation of thevehicle V1. For example, the first electromagnetic device EM1 may beoperated as a generator to provide electric power to the secondelectromagnetic device EM2. Alternatively, the second electromagneticdevice EM2 may be operated as a generator to provide electric power tothe first electromagnetic device EM1.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the first electromagnetic deviceEM1 and the second electromagnetic device EM2 may be the same (orsimilar) to one another. However, according to other exemplaryembodiments, the first electromagnetic device EM1 and the secondelectromagnetic device EM2 may be sized differently as required by aparticular application. According to one exemplary embodiment, theelectromagnetic devices EM1, EM2 are each capable of providing up toapproximately 300 horsepower and 1300 ft-lbs of torque and are capableof rotational speeds from approximately −6,000 to 6,000 rpm (i.e., bothforward and reverse from 0 to 6,000 rpm).

According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmission T1 is coupled toat least one drive axle of the vehicle V1 (such as, e.g., rear axle RA1and/or front axle FA1 as shown in FIG. 1). According to one exemplaryembodiment, both the rear axle RA1 and the front axle FA1 are driven bythe transmission T1. According to other exemplary embodiments, only oneof the axles may be driven by the transmission T1. According to yetanother exemplary embodiment, additional axles (e.g., such as additionalrear axles not shown) may be driven by the transmission T1. According toan exemplary embodiment, each of the axles are coupled to thetransmission via a differential gear set (such as, e.g., reardifferential RD1 and/or front differential FD1 shown in FIG. 1). Eachaxle is configured to drive (i.e., provide rotational energy to) one ormore wheels/tires to propel (e.g., move, push, drive etc.) the vehicleV1.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a detailed schematic view of the drive trainfor the vehicle V1 is shown according to exemplary embodiment. As shownin FIG. 2, the transmission T1 includes two planetary gear sets.According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmission T1 includes afirst planetary gear set P1 and a second planetary gear set P2. A thirdplanetary gear set P3 is provided as a torque divider (e.g., 30% torqueto the front and 70% torque to the rear) if both the front and rearvehicle axles are powered.

According to one exemplary embodiment, the first planetary gear set P1is configured as a power split device or power splitting planetary gearset, the second planetary gear set P2 is configured as a gear reductiondevice, and the third planetary gear set P3 is configured as a torqueproportioning device. As shown in FIG. 2, the first planetary gear setP1 is coupled to the engine E1, the first electromechanical device EM1,the second electromechanical device EM2 (via the second planetary gearset P2), and to gear G5. The second planetary gear set P2 is alsocoupled to the gear G5 (via gears G13, G14, G15, clutch C2 and shaftS6).

As shown in FIG. 2, the engine E1 is coupled to a clutch C3 that isconfigured to selectively rotationally engage/disengage the engine E1with the transmission T1. The clutch C3 may be any type of clutchcapable of rotationally fixing the engine E1 to the transmission T1.When the clutch C3 is engaged, the engine E1 is coupled to a shaft S1. Agear G6 is coupled (e.g., rotationally fixed) to shaft S1 and engages agear G7 that is coupled (e.g., rotationally fixed) to a shaft S2. Thegear G7 in turn is coupled to the first planetary gear set P1 via theshaft S2.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first planetary gear set P1 comprises an annulusor ring gear G1 which is coupled to the shaft S2. As shown, the clutchC3, the gears G6 and G7, and the shaft S2 cooperate to permit engine E1to drive the ring gear G1. The ring gear G1 is engaged with at least oneplanetary gear G2 (e.g., one, two, three, four or more planetary gearsG2 that are coupled to one another (e.g., rotatably supported) by aplanetary gear carrier PGC1). The planetary gear(s) G2 are engaged witha sun gear G3 of the first planetary gear set P1 to couple the ring gearG1 to the sun gear G3.

The sun gear G3 is directly coupled to the first electromagnetic deviceEM1 by a shaft S3. The first electromagnetic device EM1 may be coupledto an optional brake B1 by a clutch C4. The clutch C4 may be any type ofclutch capable of rotationally fixing the first electromagnetic deviceEM1 to the brake B1. The effect of braking the first electromechanicaldevice EM1 is to fix or hold sun gear G3 without the need to applyelectrical energy to the first electromechanical device EM1 to cause thefirst electromechanical device EM1 to generate enough holding torque tohold the gear G3 from rotating.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the planetary gear carrier PGC1 iscoupled to a carrier gear G4. The carrier gear G4 is engaged with a gearG5. In the preferred embodiment of vehicle V1, the gear G5 is part ofthe third planetary gear set P3 used to divide the power from thetransmission T1 to the front and rear axles. In this embodiment, thegear G5 is coupled to the planetary gears of the third planetary gearset P3. If only a single axle is driven by the transmission T1, or adifferent transfer device is used to drive more than one axle, the thirdplanetary gear set P3 may not be necessary.

The carrier gear G4 is also coupled to the second planetary gear set P2by a shaft S5 (as will be described in more detail below).

Still referring to FIG. 2, the transmission T1 also includes a clutch C1that selectively rotationally engages/disengages the engine E1 to thesecond electromagnetic device EM2. The clutch C1 may be any type ofclutch capable of rotationally fixing the engine E1 to the secondelectromagnetic device EM2, such as a wet clutch.

As shown in FIG. 2, the clutch C1 is coupled to the engine E1 by theshaft S1. When the clutch C1 is engaged, the shaft S1 is coupled to agear G9. The gear G9 in turn is engaged with a gear G8 that is coupledto the second electromagnetic device EM2. Thus, when the clutch C1 isengaged, the engine is coupled to the second electromagnetic device EM2to allow the second electromagnetic device EM2 to be driven as agenerator (e.g., to provide electrical power to the firstelectromagnetic device EM1).

The electromagnetic device EM2 is also coupled to the second planetarygear set P2 by a shaft S4. The shaft S4 is connected to a sun gear G12of the second planetary gear set P2. The sun gear G12 is engaged with atleast one planetary gear G11 (e.g., one, two, three, four or moreplanetary gears G11 that are coupled to one another (e.g., rotatablysupported) by a planetary gear carrier PGC2). The planetary gear(s) G11in turn are engaged with an annulus or ring gear G10 to couple the sungear G12 to the ring gear G10.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the planet gear carrier PGC2 ofthe second planetary gear P2 is coupled to the carrier gear G4 (and theplanet gear carrier PGC1) of the first planetary gear set P1 by a shaftS5. Thus, the planet gear carrier PGC1 and the planet gear carrier PGC2are coupled to one another so that the second electromagnetic device EM2is coupled to the first planetary gear set P1 via the second planetarygear set P2.

The second electromagnetic device EM2 is also coupled to the thirdplanetary gear set P3 via the second planetary gear set P2. According toan exemplary embodiment, the ring gear G10 of the second planetary gearP2 is coupled to an output gear G13 that is engaged with an idler gearG14. The idler gear G14 in turn is engaged with a gear G15 that isselectively engaged/disengaged to the third planetary gear set P3 by aclutch C2 (via a shaft S6). The clutch C2 may be any type of clutchcapable of rotationally fixing the gear G15 to the shaft S6, such as awet clutch.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the third planetary gear set P3 isa torque proportioning device for the front and rear axles of thevehicle V1. Torque is delivered from the third planetary gear set P3 tothe front axle FA1 and/or the rear axle RA1 via shafts S7 and S8. Asdiscussed above, in other exemplary embodiments, the third planetarygear set P3 is not necessary when either the front axle FA1 or rear axleRA1 of the vehicle V1 is not driven by the transmission T1.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the transmission T1 is operated ina low speed mode (e.g., a vehicle speed of approximately 0-10 mph) byhaving the clutch C2 engaged and the clutch C1 disengaged. According toanother exemplary embodiment, the transmission T1 is operated in a highspeed mode (e.g., a vehicle speed of approximately 10-65 mph) by havingthe clutch C1 engaged and the clutch C2 disengaged. According to othervarious embodiments, the vehicle speeds in the low and high speed modesmay vary higher or lower.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an operator (e.g., driver) ofvehicle V1 may manually switch the transmission T1 from low speed modeto high speed mode or vice-versa. According to another exemplaryembodiment, the transmission T1 is automatically switched from low speedmode to high speed mode (and vice-versa) by a control system (see, e.g.,FIG. 3). The control system may include various operator inputs (suchas, e.g., desired vehicle speed, torque, traction, terrain, etc.) andalso various system inputs (such as, e.g., current vehicle speed, enginespeed, power, and torque, electromagnetic device speed, power, andtorque, etc.). As shown in FIG. 3, according to one exemplaryembodiment, the control system is configured to monitor and/or controlthe engine, the mode of the transmission, the first electromagneticdevice EM1, the second electromagnetic device EM2, the clutch C1, theclutch C2, and/or the clutch C3.

According to an exemplary embodiment, gears within the transmission T1are sized according to the specific application and desired performancecharacteristics of the vehicle V1. According to one exemplaryembodiment, the gears within the transmission T1 have tooth counts asshown in Table 1. However, according to other exemplary embodiments, thetooth counts of the gears may vary more or less than that shown.According to other exemplary embodiments, the engine E1, theelectromagnetic devices EM1 and EM2, the clutches C1-C4, and the shaftsS1-S8 may all vary according to the specific application and desiredperformance characteristics of the vehicle V1.

TABLE 1 Tooth Gear # Count Gear 1 81 Gear 2 24 Gear 3 33 Gear 4 77 Gear5 77 Gear 6 49 Gear 7 50 Gear 8 55 Gear 9 74 Gear 10 64 Gear 11 19 Gear12 26 Gear 13 28 Gear 14 47 Gear 15 82

It should be noted that references to “front,” “rear,” “top,” and “base”in this description are merely used to identify various elements as areoriented in the FIGS., with “front” and “rear” being relative to theenvironment in which the device is provided.

For the purpose of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joiningof two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining maybe stationary or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved withthe two members or the two members and any additional intermediatemembers being integrally formed as a single unitary body with oneanother or with the two members or the two members and any additionalintermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may bepermanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of theelectromechanical variable transmission as shown in the variousexemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (for example, variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims.For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissionsmay also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement ofthe various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope ofthe present embodiments.

1. A vehicle drive comprising: a first gear set including a sun gear, aring gear and planetary gears which couple the sun gear to the ringgear; a second gear set including a sun gear, a ring gear and planetarygears which couple the sun gear to the ring gear, wherein the planetarygears of both sets are rotatably supported by respective planetary gearcarriers which are coupled to each other; an engine; a first clutchwhich selectively engages the engine to the ring gear of the first gearset; a first motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the first gearset; a second motor/generator coupled to the sun gear of the second gearset and electrically coupled to the first motor/generator; a secondclutch which selectively engages the engine to the secondmotor/generator; and a third clutch and a third gear set which operateto selectively engage the ring gear of the second gear set to theplanetary gear carriers.
 2. The drive of claim 1, further comprising afourth gear set including at least two gears which couple the firstclutch to the ring gear of the first gear set.
 3. The drive of claim 1,further comprising a fifth gear set including at least two gears whichcouple the second clutch to the second motor/generator.
 4. The device ofclaim 1, wherein the third gear set includes a first pair of gears whichcouple the ring gear of the second gear set to the third clutch, and asecond pair of gears which couple the third clutch to the planetary gearcarriers.
 5. The drive of claim 1, further comprising a brake mechanismfor preventing rotation of the first motor/generator.
 6. The drive ofclaim 1, further comprising a planetary gear set having at least a ringgear, wherein the planetary gear carriers are coupled to the ring gearof the planetary gear set.
 7. A vehicle transmission, comprising: afirst planetary gear set having planetary gears; a second planetary gearset having planetary gears directly coupled to the planetary gears ofthe first planetary gear set; an engine rotationally coupled to thefirst planetary gear set; a first electromagnetic device rotationallycoupled to the first planetary gear set; and a second electromagneticdevice rotationally coupled to the second planetary gear set andselectively rotationally engaged with the engine.
 8. The transmission ofclaim 7, wherein the first electromagnetic device and the secondelectromagnetic device are electrically connected to one another topermit the transfer of electrical power between the electromagneticdevices.
 9. The transmission of claim 7, wherein the second planetarygear set also includes a ring gear coupled to the planetary gears of thefirst planetary gear set.
 10. The transmission of claim 9, wherein thefirst planetary gear set is coupled to at least one of a front axle anda rear axle of a vehicle.
 11. The transmission of claim 10, wherein thesecond planetary gear set is selectively rotationally engaged with atleast one of the front axle and the rear axle of the vehicle.
 12. Thetransmission of claim 11, wherein when the second planetary gear set isselectively rotationally engaged with at least one of the front axle andthe rear axle of the vehicle, the second electromagnetic device isdisengaged from the engine.
 13. A vehicle having a drive train,comprising: a dual-mode transmission comprising a first gear set and asecond gear set; an engine coupled to the first gear set; a firstelectromagnetic device coupled to the first gear set; a secondelectromagnetic device coupled to the second gear set; and at least onedrive axle coupled to the transmission; wherein during a first mode ofoperation of the vehicle the second electromagnetic device isselectively coupled to the drive axle via the second gear set and duringa second mode of operation of the vehicle the second electromagneticdevice is selectively coupled to the engine.
 14. The drive train ofclaim 13, wherein the first electromagnetic device and the secondelectromagnetic device are electrically connected to one another so thatone of the first and second electromagnetic devices may provideelectrical power to the other of the first and second electromagneticdevices.
 15. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein the first mode ofoperation is a low speed mode of operation and the second mode ofoperation is a high speed mode of operation.
 16. The vehicle of claim13, wherein the transmission further comprises a third gear set that iscoupled to the at least one drive axle of the vehicle.
 17. The vehicleof claim 16, wherein the at least one drive axle is at least one of afront axle and rear axle.
 18. A transmission for a vehicle, comprising:a first gear set having a first gear configured to be coupled to anengine, a second gear configured to be coupled to a firstelectromechanical device, and a third gear configured to be rotationallyengaged to a drive axle of the vehicle; a second gear set having a firstgear configured to be coupled to a second electromechanical device, asecond gear configured to be coupled to the third gear of the first gearset, and a third gear configured to be selectively rotationally engagedwith the drive axle of the vehicle.
 19. The transmission of claim 18,further comprising a third gear set having a first gear rotationallyengaged with the third gear of the first gear set and selectivelyrotationally engaged with the third gear of the second gear set.
 20. Thetransmission of claim 19, wherein the first gear of the third gear setis selectively rotationally engaged with the third gear of the secondgear set by a clutch.